Carrier For Containers

Abstract

A carrier for holding a plurality of containers includes a central panel having a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers, a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line, and at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a central panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;   a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line; and   at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.   
     
     
         2 . The carrier of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel at a curved cut such that the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         3 . The carrier of  claim 2 , wherein the curved cut has a convex arrangement relative to the fold line. 
     
     
         4 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one deflection tab interrupts the fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The carrier of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one container retention tab defines a free edge interrupted by a recessed notch for facilitating reconfiguration of the at least one container retention tab when the plurality of container retention tabs engage a respective container of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         6 . The carrier of  claim 5 , wherein the recessed notch is aligned with the at least one deflection tab. 
     
     
         7 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein the curved cut is a first cut, and a second cut at least partially defines a deflection region of the at least one container retention tab, the deflection region for being at least partially separated from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         8 . The carrier of  claim 7 , wherein the second cut includes an oblique segment intersecting a curved segment. 
     
     
         9 . The carrier of  claim 8 , wherein the second cut is spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         10 . The carrier of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of stress relief regions are at least partially defined along the central panel between respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening intersecting a respective free edge of the central panel. 
     
     
         11 . The carrier of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the oblique lines of weakening intersects the first cut. 
     
     
         12 . The carrier of  claim 11 , wherein the respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening are a respective first oblique line of weakening and a respective second oblique line of weakening, and the at least one container retention tab is at least partially bisected by a third oblique line of weakening so as to form a first portion and a second portion of the at least one container retention tab. 
     
     
         13 . The carrier of  claim 3 , further comprising handle features for facilitating grasping of the carrier, the handle features comprising at least one handle opening at least partially defined in the central panel and at least one handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and positioned extending into the at least one handle opening. 
     
     
         14 . A blank for forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the blank comprising:
 a central panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers;   a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers when the carrier is formed from the blank, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line; and   at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab.   
     
     
         15 . The blank of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel at a curved cut such that the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         16 . The blank of  claim 15 , wherein the curved cut has a convex arrangement relative to the fold line. 
     
     
         17 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one deflection tab interrupts the fold line. 
     
     
         18 . The blank of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one container retention tab defines a free edge interrupted by a recessed notch for facilitating reconfiguration of the at least one container retention tab when the plurality of container retention tabs engage a respective container of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         19 . The blank of  claim 18 , wherein the recessed notch is aligned with the at least one deflection tab. 
     
     
         20 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein the curved cut is a first cut, and a second cut at least partially defines a deflection region of the at least one container retention tab, the deflection region for being at least partially separated from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         21 . The blank of  claim 20 , wherein the second cut includes an oblique segment intersecting a curved segment. 
     
     
         22 . The blank of  claim 21 , wherein the second cut is spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         23 . The blank of  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of stress relief regions are at least partially defined along the central panel between respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening intersecting a respective free edge of the central panel. 
     
     
         24 . The blank of  claim 23 , wherein at least one of the oblique lines of weakening intersects the first cut. 
     
     
         25 . The blank of  claim 24 , wherein the respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening are a respective first oblique line of weakening and a respective second oblique line of weakening, and the at least one container retention tab is at least partially bisected by a third oblique line of weakening so as to form a first portion and a second portion of the at least one container retention tab. 
     
     
         26 . The blank of  claim 16 , further comprising handle features for facilitating grasping of the carrier, the handle features comprising at least one handle opening at least partially defined in the central panel and at least one handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and positioned extending into the at least one handle opening. 
     
     
         27 . A method of forming a carrier for holding a plurality of containers, the method comprising:
 obtaining a blank, the blank comprising a central panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings, a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line, and at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab; and   positioning the blank such that the plurality of container retention openings are arranged for at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers and such that the plurality of container retention tabs are positioned for engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel at a curved cut such that the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separable from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the curved cut has a convex arrangement relative to the fold line. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the at least one deflection tab interrupts the fold line. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one container retention tab defines a free edge interrupted by a recessed notch for facilitating reconfiguration of the at least one container retention tab when the plurality of container retention tabs engage a respective container of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the recessed notch is aligned with the at least one deflection tab. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the curved cut is a first cut, and a second cut at least partially defines a deflection region of the at least one container retention tab, the deflection region for being at least partially separated from the central panel for being positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the second cut includes an oblique segment intersecting a curved segment. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second cut is spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a plurality of stress relief regions are at least partially defined along the central panel between respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening intersecting a respective free edge of the central panel. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein at least one of the oblique lines of weakening intersects the first cut. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein the respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening are a respective first oblique line of weakening and a respective second oblique line of weakening, and the at least one container retention tab is at least partially bisected by a third oblique line of weakening so as to form a first portion and a second portion of the at least one container retention tab. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising handle features for facilitating grasping of the carrier, the handle features comprising at least one handle opening at least partially defined in the central panel and at least one handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and positioned extending into the at least one handle opening. 
     
     
         40 . A package, the package comprising:
 a plurality of containers; and   a carrier holding the plurality of containers, the carrier comprising:
 a central panel comprising a plurality of container retention openings at least partially receiving a respective container of the plurality of containers; 
 a plurality of container retention tabs positioned extending into respective container retention openings of the plurality of container retention openings, the plurality of container retention tabs positioned engaging a respective container of the plurality of containers, at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs foldably connected to the central panel at a fold line; and 
 at least one deflection tab positioned extending away from the at least one container retention tab of the plurality of container retention tabs, the fold line intersecting a respective at least one deflection tab. 
   
     
     
         41 . The package of  claim 40 , wherein the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separated from the central panel at a curved cut such that the at least one deflection tab is at least partially separated from the central panel and positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         42 . The package of  claim 41 , wherein the curved cut has a convex arrangement relative to the fold line. 
     
     
         43 . The package of  claim 42 , wherein the at least one deflection tab interrupts the fold line. 
     
     
         44 . The package of  claim 43 , wherein the at least one container retention tab defines a free edge interrupted by a recessed notch facilitating reconfiguration of the at least one container retention tab engaged with a respective container of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         45 . The package of  claim 44 , wherein the recessed notch is aligned with the at least one deflection tab. 
     
     
         46 . The package of  claim 42 , wherein the curved cut is a first cut, and a second cut at least partially defines a deflection region of the at least one container retention tab, the deflection region at least partially separated from the central panel and positioned in nonplanar relation with the central panel. 
     
     
         47 . The package of  claim 46 , wherein the second cut includes an oblique segment intersecting a curved segment. 
     
     
         48 . The package of  claim 47 , wherein the second cut is spaced apart from the fold line. 
     
     
         49 . The package of  claim 42 , wherein a plurality of stress relief regions are at least partially defined along the central panel between respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening intersecting a respective free edge of the central panel. 
     
     
         50 . The package of  claim 49 , wherein at least one of the oblique lines of weakening intersects the first cut. 
     
     
         51 . The package of  claim 50 , wherein the respective pairs of oblique lines of weakening are a respective first oblique line of weakening and a respective second oblique line of weakening, and the at least one container retention tab is at least partially bisected by a third oblique line of weakening so as to form a first portion and a second portion of the at least one container retention tab. 
     
     
         52 . The package of  claim 42 , further comprising handle features for facilitating grasping of the carrier, the handle features comprising at least one handle opening at least partially defined in the central panel and at least one handle flap foldably connected to the central panel and positioned extending into the at least one handle opening.